Remote transformer monitoring system

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for detecting and controlling transformer conditions at a remote location. Detecting sensors and activating controllers are located within the transformer for detecting certain existing conditions of the transformer and for applying control signals for changing the transformer conditions. Signals from the detecting sensors are transmitted to a remote monitoring station where they are processed and displayed. Signals are originated at the remote monitoring station and transmitted to the activating controllers to change the transformer conditions.

111] 3,821,605 June 28, 1974 1 REMOTE TRANSFORMER MONITORING SYSTEM [75]Inventor: Johnny M. Pendrak, Athens, Ga.

[73] Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corporation,

Pittsburgh, Pa.

221 Filed: Aug. 10,1972 211 Appl. No.: 279,567

[52] U.S.Cl 317/14 R, 317/14 G, 317/14H [51] Int. Cl. H'IlZh 7/04 [58]Field 01 Search. 340/151, 256; 317/28, 14 G,

317/14 R, 14 H, 14 .1, 15, 28 B, 29 B, 28 R,

1/1969 Wagner 317/14 R 5/1972 Levy 340/256 Primary Examiner-J. D. MillerAssistant Examiner-Patrick R. Salce Attorney, Agent, or Firm-J. R.Hanway ABSTRACT Apparatus for detecting and controlling transformerconditions at a remote location. Detecting sensors and activatingcontrollers are located within the transformer for detecting certainexisting conditions of the transfonner and for applying control signalsfor changing the transformer conditions. Signals from the detectmgsensors are transmitted to a remote monitoring [56] References Citedstation where they are processed and displayed. Signals are originatedat the remote monitoring station UNITED STATES PATENTS and transmittedto the activating controllers to change 2,773,146 12/1956 Saver 317/14 Gthe transformer conditions 3,195,015 7/1965 Astleford 3l7/l4 H 3,253,2605/1966 Hawley 340/151 14 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures a. |24 126- my I22I30 I30 I30 |30 f ,137 (,52 ,l38 I DETECTOR ACTlVATOR TRANSFORMER CODERIDENTIF'ER %%%%%ER TR A'lvsMwTER I36 ,140 PROGRAMED MANUAL tlt ssess(I34 TRANSFORMER MNNTENANCE INDICATOR midi ($812 AND ALARM PATENTEUJUNZam 3 2 05 EMT l W ENCODER TRANSMITTER DECODER- RECEIVER PATENTEDJUNZBI974 SHEET Q 0F A MANUAL CONTACT ACTIVATOR CONTACT POSITION DETECTORREMOTE CONTACT ACTIVATOR m W N N000 ERIT GT H RNS E D 3 7 W L T WGEV QRU A PRESSURE DETECTOR CONTROL ACT I VATOR EMERGENCY DECODER- RECEIVERENCODER- vTRANSMITTER PATE'IITEEIIIIIIMII 3.821.605

SHEEF I BF A I8 v I W ig 5 56 8 I00 Hg WW, I

low I22 I24, Ige- I30 I30 I30 I30 FIGS 13? (,Is2 ,138 I 3255322 ENC'XSEE IDENTIF'ER RECEIVER TRANSMITTER ,I3C i ,I4O PROGRAMED AUTOMATIC'w ACTI\ /ATOR TOR I CON TROI CONTROL TRANSFORMER MAINTENANCE STATUSINDICATOR INDICATOR ANO ALARM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field ofthe Invention This invention relates, in general, to electricalinductive apparatus and, more specifically, to remote monitoring andcontrolling systems for transformers.

2. Description of the Prior Art Transformers used in power distributionsystems are generally associated with protective devices which preventor limit damage to the transformer and its associated apparatus.Distribution transformers of the completely self-protected type includea lightning arrester to protect the distribution system from lightningsurges. The completely self-protected transformer also includes acircuit breaker on the secondary or lowvoltage side and a fuse link orafull range currentlimiting fuse or a fuse link in series with a full orpartial range current-limiting fuse on the primary or highvoltage side.

The completely self-protected transformer is protected against excessivedamage by its protective devices. The secondary breaker disconnects thetransformer from its load if the current becomes dangerously high. Thecurrent limiting fuse, the protective link, or the combination of bothdisconnects the transformer from the distribution feeder line ifdangerously high current is drawn by a faulty transformer.

With the presently available protective devices in a distributiontransformer, activation of a protective device to limit system damagecauses a power outage. A signal light is mounted on the transformerenclosure to provide visual indication of when the secondary circuitbreaker is about to trip. That is, the signal light is turned on at alower overload current than that required to trip the breaker. Thesignal light remains on until reset even though the load current islater reduced to a satisfactory level. When line crews see anilluminated signal light, they are thereby given notice that a moderateoverload condition has occurred. Repeated observations of an illuminatedsignal light usually indicates that the transformer should be replacedwith a higher capacity transformer. The signal light also gives a quickand accurate visual indication of where a tripped breaker is locatedwhen a power outage occurs.

The completely self-protected transformer also includes an emergencycontrol mechanism which effectively changes the rating of the circuitbreaker. The emergency control mechanism may be moved from its normalposition to an overload position to allow the resetting of a trippedbreaker. The rating of the circuit breaker may be increased by theemergency control mechanism for a short period of time until thebimetallic strip in the circuit breaker has cooled sufficiently to allowsetting of the rating of the circuit breaker at its normal position.This usually permits quicker restoration of service after a poweroutage. In some situations, the emergency control may be set to increasethe capacity of the breaker and thus permit operation of the transformerwith higher than normal overload current. While this proceduredetrimentally affects the life of the transformer, the loss in sometransformer life is sometimes justified when a power outage can beprevented.

The versatility of the completely self-protected distributiontransformer is only limited by the necessity of visual observation andnormal control of the transformer adjustments and switches. It isdesirable, and, it is an object of this invention, to providetransformer apparatus in which the condition thereof may be monitored ata remote location. It is also desirable, and it is a further object ofthis invention, to provide a transformer monitoring system which canrespond to the monitored information and remotely control thetransformer adjustments and switches according to a predeterminedprogram.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The secondary circuit breaker of thedistribution transformer is connected to activator and detector deviceswhich control and monitor the status of the circuit breaker. A pressuredetector is also used to monitor the pressure of the liquid coolant inthe transformer and therefore monitor the pressure of the gases abovethe liquid. Activator devices are included which may open and close thecircuit breaker contacts from local or remote locations, adjust theemergency control mechanism, and reset the signal light. Detectordevices are included which monitor the signal light, the emergencycontrol mechanism, and the circuit breaker contacts, as well as thecoolant pressure. The detected information is sent to a remotemonitoring station which provides visual or audible indications of thestatus of the detected transformer variables. Activator control signalsare originated at the remote monitoring station by manual means orautomatically by programmed means and sent back to the transformer tocorrect any undesirable condition detected at the transformer by themonitor. Various combinations of activator and detector devices may alsobe used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS I Further advantages and uses of thisinvention will become more apparent when considered in view of thefollowing detailed description and drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a cut-away view of a distribution transformer includingactivators and detectors according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the transformer conditionswhich are detected and activated according to this invention;

FIG. 3 is a view showing activating and detecting devices connected to acircuit breaker according to a specific embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating activator and detectorconnections according to a specific embodiment of this invention; and

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an overall transformer monitoringand controlling system constructed according to this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Throughout the followingdescription, similar reference characters refer to similar elements inall figures of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, and FIG. l in particular, there is showna pole-type completely selfprotected distribution transformer 10. Thetransformer 10 includes an enclosure 12 with a lightning arrester l4 anda primary bushing 16 mounted thereon. The bushing 16. includes acurrent-limiting fuse or fusible link 18 and a protective link 20 whichprotect the primary distribution system from internal transformerfaults.

Secondary bushings, such as the bushing 22, are attached to theenclosure 12. A signal light 24 is mounted on the enclosure 12 and iselectrically connected to terminals on a circuit breaker 26. A core andcoil assembly 28 is secured inside the enclosure 12 with the circuitbreaker 26 attached thereto. Required winding leads, such as the lead30, extending from the coil to appropriate bushings.

The circuit breaker 26 includes two sets of contacts each connected inseries with a secondary winding lead. A three-phase transformer wouldhave a circuit breaker with three sets of contacts. The contacts areopened or tripped by a bimetallic strip through which the contactcurrent passes. A circuit breaker having thermally responsive bimetallicelements and suitable for use with this invention is described in US.Pat. No. 2,686,242, which is assiged to the same assignee as is thisinvention.

Activators and detectors are attached to the circuit breaker 26 and areelectrically connected through the .plug 31 and the cable 34 to anencoder-transmitter 36 and to a decoder-receiver 38. A pressure detector40 detects the pressure of the liquid coolant 42 contained within thetransformer enclosure 12. An emergency control activator 44 may beremotely controlled to change the amount of current necessary to openthe contacts of the circuit breaker 26. A remote contact activator 46may be remotely controlled to open or close the contacts of the circuitbreaker 26. A manual contact activator 48 mechanically trips thecontacts of the circuit breaker 26 when a handle 50 is turned to movethe linkage 52.

' The detectors and the remotely controlled activators are linked to aremote monitoring station which processes the detected information andissues appropriate control signals. The function of the detectors andactivators illustrated in FIG. 1, and of additional detectors andactivators not illustrated in'FlG. 1, is described in greater detailhereinafter in this description.

' FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a transformer having desiredactivators and detectors contained therein. The enclosurev 12 enclosesthe core and coil assembly 28 which has a current-limiting fuse 18 in alead of the primary winding 56. The circuit breaker 26 is connected inthe circuit of the secondary winding 58.

The desired activators and detectors are shown in block form with dashedlines indicating either an electrical or a mechanical connection to thecircuit breaker 26. The manual contact activator Al provides means formanually changing the position of the circuit breaker contacts. Theactivator Al may be a mechanical linkage connecting the circuit breakercontacts to an externally mounted handle, an electrical switch whichcontrols a motor connected to the circuit breaker contacts, or any othersuitable activator device.

The remote contact activator A2 provides means for remotely changing theposition of the circuit breaker contacts. The activator A2 may be amotor or solenoid which is connected to the circuit breaker contacts, orany other suitable activator device. The signal light reset activator A3provides means for remotely resetting the signal light. The signal lightreset activator A3 may be a solenoid or motor which disengages thesignal light contacts, limit means which limits the movement of theremote contact activator A2 to the amount necessary to reset the signallight contacts, or any other suitable activator device.

The emergency control activator A4 provides means for recalibrating orresetting the rating of the circuit breaker 26. With the circuit breaker26 described by this invention, adjusting screws provided on the outsideof the circuit breaker 26 effectively change the position of thebimetallic strips inside the circuit breaker housing. By turning theadjustment screws, more or less movement of the bimetallic strips isnecessary to trip the breaker contacts. Turning the adjustment screwsmay be accomplished with a solenoid or motor which is electricallyconnected to the adjustment screws. The emergency control positiondetector Dl provides means for detecting the position of the emergencycontrol adjustment. That is, determining whether the circuit breaker 26is adjusted to trip at its normal current or at an overload value abovethe normal value. The detector D1 may be a switch which is closedby themovement of the activator A4 when the emergency control is set at theoverload position.

The contact position detector D2 provides means for detecting theposition of the contacts of the circuit breaker 26. That is, determiningwhether the contacts are open or closed. The detector D2 may be a switchwhich is activated by the mechanical movement of the contacts, anelectrical connection to the contacts which detects a change in voltageacross the contacts when-they change position, or any other suitabledetector device. The signal light detector D3 provides means fordetecting if the signal light 24 is illuminated. A convenient detectorarrangement is an electrical connection to the signal light voltage. Anilluminated signal light indicates that an overload condition hasoccurred in the transformer. If only remote indications are desired, theexternal lamp of the signal light 24 may be omitted from the transformercomponents.

The pressure detector D4 provides means for detecting the pressure ofthe coolant in the transformer. Pressure detection is desirable sincethe transformer tank will withstand only a fixed amount of pressure.Although the pressure of the coolant is proportional to the temperatureof the coolant, pressure detection is more reliable since pressuredistribution is usually much more uniform than temperature distribution.The pressure detector D4 may be a switch which is activated when thecoolant pressure reaches a predetermined value.

The information signals from the detectors D1, D2,

- D3 and D4 are applied to an encoder-transmitter 36 from which they aretranferred to a remote monitoring station. Activating signals from theremote monitoring station are applied to the decoder-receiver 38 fromwhich appropriate control signals are applied to the activators A2, A3and A4.

FIG. 3 illustrates a specific embodiment'of the invention wherein thecircuit breaker 26 has detectors and activators connected thereto. Thecircuit breaker 26 includes the contact handles 60 and 62 which may bemoved to open and close the circuit breaker contacts. The handles 60 and62 are mechanically interconnected by a rod 64 to which a lifter link 66is attached. The linkage 68 is pivoted on pin 70 and is attached to thelifter link 66 and to the wheel 72. The motor 74 rotates the wheel 72when it is desired to change the position of the breaker contacts.Because of the eccentric connection of the linkage 68 to the wheel 72,the motor may move the handles 60 and 62 in two directions withoutreversing the direction of rotation of the motor 74, although areversible motor may be used.

The signal light 24 is activated when the contacts 76 and 78 areelectrically connected together within the housing of the circuitbreaker 26. US. Pat. No. 2,686,242 discloses a suitable arrangement forconnecting the contacts 76 and 78 together when the current flowingthrough the circuit breaker 26 is excessive.

The emergency control adjusting screws 80 and 82 are connected to crankarms 84 and 86, respectively. When the solenoid 88 is activated, the rod90 is moved substantially in an axial direction to rotate the adjustingscrews 80 and 82. The position of the adjusting screws 80 is detected bythe switch 92. When the rod 90 is extend ed from the solenoid 88, thebutton 94 is depressed and the switch 92 is activated. The secondaryleads 96 and 98 conduct the secondary winding current through thecircuit breaker 26.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic diagram of a transformer constructedaccording to a specific embodi ment of this invention. The circuitbreaker 26 includes the individual circuit breaker contact structures1100 and 102 which each include a bimetallic strip through which thesecondary currents flow. The terminal pairs across which the activatorand detector signals are applied are denoted with the activator anddetector symbols Al, A2, A3, A4, D1, D2, D3 and D4 according to FIG. 2.

The motor 74 opens and closes the circuit breaker 26 from remotelyoriginated signals. The handle I04 may be utilized to locally andmanually activate the circuit breaker 26. Conductors 106 and 108 whichare connected to the breaker contact structure W2 provide means forelectrically detecting the position of the circuit breaker 26. When thecircuit breaker 26 is closed, negligible voltage will develop across theconductors I06and 1108. When the circuit breaker 26 is opened, a voltagedevelops across the conductors 1106 and 1108 through the resistor 110.

The switch 112 activates the signal light 241 and is mechanicallyconnected to the bimetallic strips of the circuit breaker 26. When apredetermined amount of load current flows through either bimetallicstrip, the switch 112 is closed. Thus, the signal light 24 is turned onand a voltage is detected across the signal light 241. The solenoid 114may be activated to open the switch 112 to reset the signal light 24.

Solenoid 116 activates the emergency control feature of the circuitbreaker 26 by mechanical coupling to the bimetallic strips. When theemergency control is activated, switch 118 closes to detect the positionof the emergency control. Similarly, the pressure switch 120 is closedwhen the coolant pressure reaches a predetermined value.

The value of the voltages provided by the detectors in this embodimentis substantially equal to one-half the voltage of the secondary winding58. Other arrangements may be used, such as a separate control circuitwinding, to provide the control voltages.

FIG. 5 shows the transformer 10 in association'with a plurality of othertransformers, such as transformers.

receiver device il3tl which processes the activating and detectingsignals between the transformer and the remote monitoring station 1128.Transfer of the signal from the transformer to the remote monitoringstation may be accomplished by telephone lines, power line carriersystems, radio signals, or any other suitable means.

The remote monitoring station I28 provides the equipment necessary toutilize the intelligence information signals from the transformers.Detector signals are applied to the detector decoder-receiver 132 whichprocesses the signals to the proper form for application to thetransformer status indicator 1134 and to the programmed automaticactivator control 136. The transfonner identifier 137 processes uniquecoded information signals transmitted from each transformer by itsassociated transmitter-receiver device into the proper form forapplication to the transformer status indicator 1134.

The transformer status indicator 1134 may be a cathode ray tube on whichthe information is displayed in printed words. For example, a typicaldisplay would be TRANSFORMER 237-SIGNAL LIGHT ON. The station indicator134 may also be an arrangement of panel lights wherein each lightrepresents a particular transformer status. It is within thecontemplation of this invention that other means of indication andidentification may be used, for example, a print-out device, such as atypewriter.

The information signals are applied to a computer or a programmedautomatic activator control I136 which processes the receivedinformation and sends appropriate predetermined signals to the activatorencodertransmitter 113%. The activator encoder-transmitter 138 sends thedesired activating signals to a particular identified transformer. Themanual activator controll40 may be used to send desired activatingsignals in response to observations of the status indicator 1134. Themanual activator control 1140 may comprise an arrangement ofpush-buttons and/or switches.

The transformer status indicator 1134 indicates which transformer isbeing monitored. This is accomplished by means of a code which isassigned to identify each separate transformer. It also indicates thestatus of the breaker contacts of the emergency control, and of thesignal light, and the pressure of the coolant. The automatic activatorcontrol 136 may be programmed to originate activating signals inresponse to the detected information. For example, the program may besuch that after a predetermined number of signal light indications, themaintenance indicator and alarm 142 would be activated to alertpersonnel to make the proper replacements or changes in the transformersystem. The program may be such that an open circuit breaker will bereset only once automatically. The program may be such. that theemergency control will be activated to a higher load current position toprevent the tripping or opening of the circuit breaker as long as thepressure of the coolant is below a predetermined value.

In general, the transformer management philosophy of the electricutility company will determine the type of program by which thetransformers will be controlled. Since numerous changes may be made inthe above-described apparatus and different embodiments of the inventionmay be made without departing from the spirit thereof, it is intendedthat all of the matter contained in the foregoing description or shownin the accompanying drawings, shall be interpreted as illustrativerather than limiting.

I claim as my invention:

1. A transformer comprising an enclosure, a core and coil assemblypositioned in the enclosure, a circuit breaker assembly positioned inthe enclosure, said circuit breaker assembly having open and closedcontact positions and having emergency control means with normal andoverload settings, overload responsive means positioned in theenclosure, said overload responsive means having normal and overloadconditions, position means for detecting the position of said circuitbreaker assembly, condition means for detecting the condition of saidoverload responsive means, transfer means for transferring electricalsignals corresponding to the detected information from said positionmeans and said condition means to the exterior of said enclosure, saidelectrical signals being electrically measurable from the exterior ofsaid enclosure, switching means for switching said emergency controlmeans between the normal and the overload settings in response tosignals from a remotemonitoring station, and means for detectinginformation about the setting of said emergency control means.

2. The transformer apparatusof claim 1 including means for resetting the.overload responsive means to its normal condition in response tosignals from a remote monitoring station.

3. The transformer apparatus of claim 1 wherein the emergency controlmeans includes rotatable adjusting screws, and the means for activatingthe emergency control means includes a solenoid having an output shaft,said output shaft being eccentrically coupled to the adjusting screws.

4. A transformer comprising an enclosure, a core and coil assemblypositioned in the enclosure, a circuit breaker assembly positioned inthe enclosure, said circuit breaker assembly having open and closedcontact positions, overload responsive means positioned in theenclosure, said overload responsive means having normal and overloadconditions, position means for detecting the position of said circuitbreaker assembly, condition means for detecting the condition ofsaidoverload responsive means, transfer means for transferring electricalsignals corresponding to the detected information from said positionmeans and said condition means to the exterior of said enclosure, saidelectrical signals being electrically measurable from the exterior ofsaid enclosure, and driving means for moving the circuit breakerassembly between the open and closed positions in response to signalsfrom a remote monitoring station, said driving means including a motorhaving a rotating shaft, circuit breaker contact handles connected tothe circuit breaker contacts, a pivoted linkage having first and secondends, the first end of said linkage being coupled to the circuit breakercontact handles, and the second end of said linkage being eccentricallycoupled to the motor shaft.

5. The transformer apparatus of claim 3 wherein the means for detectinginformation about the position of the emergency control means includes aswitch which is controlled by the position of the solenoid output shaft.6

6. A transformer monitoring system comprising means fordetectinginformation about the status of predetermined transformervariables, activating means for changing the status of predeterminedtransfomier variables, encoding and transmitting means for transferringthe detected information to a remote monitoring station, the remotemonitoring station including means for receiving and decoding thedetected information, means for indicating at the remote monitoringstation the status of the detected transformer variables, and means forsending control signals to said activating means from the remotemonitoring station.

7. The transformer monitoring system of claim 6 wherein the detectedpredetermined transformer variables include the position of the contactsof a circuit breaker in the transformer and the condition of an overloadresponsive means in the transformer.

8. The transformer monitoring system of claim 6 wherein the activatedtransformer variables include the position of circuit breaker contactsin the transformer.

9. The transformer monitoring system of claim 6 wherein the detectedpredetermined transformer variables include the position of emergencycontrol means in the transformer.

10. The transformer monitoring system of claim 6 wherein the activatedtransformer variables include the position of emergency control means inthe transformer.

11. The transformer monitoring system of claim 6 wherein the activatedtransformer variables include the condition of overload responsive meansin the transformer.

12. The transformer monitoring system of claim 6 wherein the detectedpredetermined transformer variables include the pressure of coolantinside the transformer.

13. The transformer monitoring system of claim 6 wherein the remotemonitoring station includes means for identifying the transformer beingmonitored when more than one transformer is included in the system, andprogrammable automatic activating means which receives the detectedinformation and controls the activating signals.

14. A transformer monitoring system for monitoring a plurality oftransformers, each of said transformers including a circuit breakerassembly having pen and closed contact positions, overload responsivemeans having normal and overload conditions, emergency control meanshaving normal and overload positions, means for detecting informationabout the position of the contacts of the circuit breaker assembly, thecondition of the overload responsive means, the position of theemergency control means, and the pressure of coolant in the transformer,means for transferring the detected information to a remotely locatedmonitoring station, said monitoring station including means foridentifying the transformer from which detected information is received,means for indicating the detected information, programmed means whichoriginates a control signal corresponding in a predetermined manner tothe detected information, means for transferring the control signal toactivating means located in a transformer, said activating means beingconstructed to change the position of the breaker contacts, thecondition of the overload responsive means, and the position of theemergency control means according to the nature of the control signaloriginated by said programmed means.

i t i t I.

' UNITED STATES PATENTQOFFICE .QERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PatentNo.3,821,'605 Dated June 28, 197

Inventor (s) Johnny M. Pendr'ak It is certified that e rror appears inthe above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as mhawn below:

Column 8, line 4H, cancel "pen" and substitute Signed ma mauled this 5thday of November 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY M. GIBSON JR. Attesting Officer C MARSHALL DANN Commissioner ofPatents U'COMM-DC 0870-980 FORM Po-1050 (o-o9) W 0.. OOVININIIY "INTI"OIHCI UNITED STATES PATENTQOFFICE v .QER'HFICATE 0F CORRECTION Patent;No 3,821,605 Dated June 28 197 4 Inventor (a) Johnny M. Pendrak It iscertified that epror appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby con-acted as ehown below:

Column 8, line a l, cancel "pen" and substitute Signed and sealed this5th day of November 1974.

(SEAL) Attest: 7

McCOY M. GIBSON JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer Conunissioner ofPatents UlCOMM-DC DWI-F60 I Ill novllmllm IIIIYII. omcl nu o-ul-lu FORMPo-ioso (10-69)

1. A transformer comprising an enclosure, a core and coil assemblypositioned in the enclosure, a circuit breaker assembly positioned inthe enclosure, said circuit breaker assembly having open and closedcontact positions and having emergency control means with normal andoverload settings, overload responsive means positioned in theenclosure, said overload responsive means having normal and overloadconditions, position means for detecting the position of said circuitbreaker assembly, condition means for detecting the condition of saidoverload responsive means, transfer means for transferring electricalsignals corresponding to the detected information from said positionmeans and said condition means to the exterior of said enclosure, saidelectrical signals being electrically measurable from the exterior ofsaid enclosure, switching means for switching said emergency controlmeans between the normal and the overload settings in response tosignals from a remote monitoring station, and means for detectinginformation about the setting of said emergency control means.
 2. Thetransformer apparatus of claim 1 including means for resetting theoverload responsive means to its normal condition in response to signalsfrom a remote monitoring station.
 3. The transformer apparatus of claim1 wherein the emergency control means includes rotatable adjustingscrews, and the means for activating the emergency control meansincludes a solenoid having an output shaft, said output shaft beingeccentrically coupled to the adjusting screws.
 4. A transformercomprising an enclosure, a core and coil assembly positioned in theenclosure, a circuit breaker assembly positioned in the enclosure, saidcircuit breaker assembly having open and closed contact positions,overload responsive means positioned in the enclosure, said overloadresponsive means having normal and overload conditions, position meansfor detecting the position of said circuit breaker assembly, conditionmeans for detecting the condition of said overload responsive means,transfer means for transferring electrical signals corresponding to thedetected information from said position means and said condition meansto the exterior of said enclosure, said electrical signals beingelectrically measurable from the exterior of said enclosure, and drivingmeans for moving the circuit breaker assembly between the open andclosed positions in response to signals from a remote monitoringstation, said driving means includIng a motor having a rotating shaft,circuit breaker contact handles connected to the circuit breakercontacts, a pivoted linkage having first and second ends, the first endof said linkage being coupled to the circuit breaker contact handles,and the second end of said linkage being eccentrically coupled to themotor shaft.
 5. The transformer apparatus of claim 3 wherein the meansfor detecting information about the position of the emergency controlmeans includes a switch which is controlled by the position of thesolenoid output shaft.
 6. A transformer monitoring system comprisingmeans for detecting information about the status of predeterminedtransformer variables, activating means for changing the status ofpredetermined transformer variables, encoding and transmitting means fortransferring the detected information to a remote monitoring station,the remote monitoring station including means for receiving and decodingthe detected information, means for indicating at the remote monitoringstation the status of the detected transformer variables, and means forsending control signals to said activating means from the remotemonitoring station.
 7. The transformer monitoring system of claim 6wherein the detected predetermined transformer variables include theposition of the contacts of a circuit breaker in the transformer and thecondition of an overload responsive means in the transformer.
 8. Thetransformer monitoring system of claim 6 wherein the activatedtransformer variables include the position of circuit breaker contactsin the transformer.
 9. The transformer monitoring system of claim 6wherein the detected predetermined transformer variables include theposition of emergency control means in the transformer.
 10. Thetransformer monitoring system of claim 6 wherein the activatedtransformer variables include the position of emergency control means inthe transformer.
 11. The transformer monitoring system of claim 6wherein the activated transformer variables include the condition ofoverload responsive means in the transformer.
 12. The transformermonitoring system of claim 6 wherein the detected predeterminedtransformer variables include the pressure of coolant inside thetransformer.
 13. The transformer monitoring system of claim 6 whereinthe remote monitoring station includes means for identifying thetransformer being monitored when more than one transformer is includedin the system, and programmable automatic activating means whichreceives the detected information and controls the activating signals.14. A transformer monitoring system for monitoring a plurality oftransformers, each of said transformers including a circuit breakerassembly having pen and closed contact positions, overload responsivemeans having normal and overload conditions, emergency control meanshaving normal and overload positions, means for detecting informationabout the position of the contacts of the circuit breaker assembly, thecondition of the overload responsive means, the position of theemergency control means, and the pressure of coolant in the transformer,means for transferring the detected information to a remotely locatedmonitoring station, said monitoring station including means foridentifying the transformer from which detected information is received,means for indicating the detected information, programmed means whichoriginates a control signal corresponding in a predetermined manner tothe detected information, means for transferring the control signal toactivating means located in a transformer, said activating means beingconstructed to change the position of the breaker contacts, thecondition of the overload responsive means, and the position of theemergency control means according to the nature of the control signaloriginated by said programmed means.